Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 4:41 am, the temperature is 68 degrees.

Showers and thunderstorms dropped about a quarter inch of rain in Townsend late yesterday afternoon. The storms moved through and the Townsend fireworks show began on schedule.

It will be mostly cloudy today with a high temperature in the low to middle 80’s. Showers and thunderstorms are likely this afternoon. Some storms may produce heavy rain.

Tomorrow will be mostly sunny with a high in the upper 80’s and a chance for afternoon thunderstorms.

Little River is flowing at 344 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 2.39 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 125 cfs. The water temperature is 66.9 degrees. Yesterday, the water temperature peaked at 71.6 degrees at 4:00 pm.

Most streams in the mountains are flowing near normal with Little River being an exception which is flowing quite a bit higher than median flow. Some streams are rising and others are receding. Most are flowing at good fishable levels.

Water temperatures are warm in the lowest elevations. Fish higher today where the water is cooler. Trout are taking dry flies and nymphs. Watch for quickly rising water, especially later today.  

Fishing for stocked trout is fair to good in the low elevation rivers. Nymphs will work for sure. Streamers may produce for you as well.

Fishing for smallmouth bass and warmwater species should be good today, baring high or stained water. It is predicted to be overcast all day which is a very good condition. Cast streamers, crayfish patterns, foam floating flies or poppers and you should do well.

If it is in fact overcast, this will be a good lake fishing day. Winds are supposed to be calm. Cast to the banks and cover with streamers, swimming nymphs, foam floating flies or poppers. Watch for approaching thunderstorms and head to the ramp if you see one coming.

There are some generation schedules you can work with on our area tailwaters. Visit the TVA website to see what options you have and plan accordingly.

The long term weather forecast indicates we will have close to normal high temperatures with a chance for thunderstorms each day through July 19th. July is typically a wet month mostly due to afternoon thunderstorms.

Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.

Byron Begley
July 5, 2023

BIG CLINCH RIVER CLEANUP TO BE HELD SATURDAY JULY 8TH

The Clinch River Chapter of Trout Unlimited is asking for help from the public, to join in and participate in this year’s annual river cleanup. During the past 25 years, volunteers have removed more than 6,000 tires and more than 10 tons of trash from the Clinch River Tailwater at this event. You can read more about the cleanup on the WBIR website by CLICKING HERE.

You can register as a volunteer on the Clinch River Chapter website by CLICKING HERE.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Parking Tags are now required to park your vehicle inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park for more than 15 minutes. Tags may be purchased at Visitors Centers, including the center in Townsend. Or, they may be purchased online. You can buy a daily, weekly or annual tag. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com